The 2018 Turkey Country Report and the Enlargement Strategy Paper prepared
by the European Commission were published today (April 17, 2018).

Unfortunately, the European Commission showed that it was once again
unwilling to understand the difficulties of the period we are passing
through. Although we have explained these issues repeatedly supported by
documentation, the Commission was unable to be objective and balanced.

Turkey is fighting simultaneously against several terrorist organizations,
particularly PKK, DAESH and FETO. In this respect, we think that not
mentioning in the report the threat from FETO that cowardly attacked our
State, our Parliament and our people is a critical deficiency.

In the report, although Turkey’s legitimate right to take immediate and
proportional measures particularly following the 15 July terrorist coup
attempt is reiterated, we observe that baseless allegations and accusations
taken from obvious circles have also been included. Turkey continues its
transparent cooperation with all related international partners including
the European Union with regards to the measures taken in the context of the
State of Emergency, firstly for the purpose of protecting its citizens’
democratic rights and freedoms, and conveys clearly the nature, the
relevant security threats and legal frameworks of these measures to its
addressees. This being the case, certain general allegations, accusations
and comments targeting Turkey in the report are unacceptable.

In fact, measures taken against the terrorist organizations contribute
undeniably not only to our own national security but also to the security
of EU member states. On this occasion, we find it necessary to reiterate
that PKK/PYD/YPG pose a serious threat against the public order and
security of EU member states.

On the other hand, it is totally wrong and unacceptable that the EU is
positioning itself as a competent arbitrator or a court and attempting to
render a judgment under the pretence of “Union solidarity” with regard to
the disputes related to sovereignty.

The Kardak Rocks and their territorial waters and airspace above them are
exclusively under Turkish sovereignty.

The support given as “carte blanche” by the EU to member states in their
disputes with third countries do not contribute to the resolution of those
issues within the framework of good neighbourly relations and international
law. Such a stance also contradicts the EU’s own values.

Statements with regards to the Cyprus issue within the report is nothing
beyond repeating the EU’s already known views based on wrong premises on
the Cyprus issue. These expressions reflect the attitude of the Greek
Cypriots which is the basic reason for the failure of the negotiation
process and it sets yet another example of the exploitation by the Greek
Cypriots of EU membership in its efforts for deadlock. The fact that the EU
insists on this unilateral and distorted understanding reveals that it not
only lacks strategical evaluation about the Eastern Mediterranean but also
that it does not have the capacity to develop a long-term vision for the
region.

Operation Olive Branch, referred to in the Enlargement Strategy Paper, is a
counter-terrorism operation aimed at eliminating the terror threat against
Turkey and on the basis of the right to self-defence. It has set an example
on how to combat terrorism without harming civilians. For the success in
fight against terrorism, the international community as a whole, including
the EU, has to be consistent vis a vis terrorism and refrain from making
distinctions among terrorist organisations.

We think it is wrong for the European Commission to have made a distinction
between Turkey and the “Western Balkans” in the Enlargement Strategy
Document. Creating such artificial distinctions between candidate countries
is an example of the discrimination we have been subjected to in our
accession process.

As referred to in the Report, the cooperation and dialogue mechanisms with
the EU in important areas will continue to work. However, we would like to
reiterate that such mechanisms cannot substitute our accession process.

We note the European Commission’s objective and constructive stance
concerning the visa liberalisation dialogue and the update of the Customs
Union between Turkey and the EU, and invite the other concerned
institutions of the EU to channel their efforts towards finalising these
issues. To that end, Turkey has done its fair part.

It is inconsistent for the EU to allege that Turkey is distancing itself
from the EU while it continues to obstruct Turkey’s accession process with
artificial and political blockages.

In sum, the report is far from understanding the realities of Turkey and
thus far from serving its purpose. In addition, it places the unfair
interests of its obvious members before a universal concept such as the
rule of law and thus negates the EU’s own values.

Despite all the negativity in the EU’s approach, EU membership continues to
remain our strategic priority. With this understanding, as is customary,
the Turkey Country Report and the Enlargement Strategy Document will be
evaluated in coordination primarily with the EU Ministry and our relevant
institutions, constructive criticism in these documents will be taken into
consideration and our opinions will be forwarded to the Commission.